Introduction: Environmental health is deteriorating worldwide. Evidence shows that exposure to air, water and soil pollution has caused many deaths worldwide, a trend that is increasing day by day. Health consequences from exposure to environmental pollutants range from cancer, lung disease, heart disease and a series health problems which often lead to death. The majority of pollution related deaths happens mostly in low and middle-income countries. Environmental and pollution health related issues are not getting the attention they deserve in Albania. The main purpose of this article is to identify the relationship between environmental problems and public health consequences, by analysing public policies, case studies and instruments for measuring environmental health indicators. The article also presents suggestions regarding development of Environmental Medicine in Albania, and Public Health Tracking methods. Methods: Qualitative method is thoughtfully used in this article. Specifically, literature review methodology is used to identify environmental indicators that directly affect public health, adequate policies and instruments for the protection of public health, as well as environmental health at the international and national level. Qualitative method is used to reveal and evaluate the topic through multiple facets covering relevant contextual conditions. This method helps identifying the link between public and environment health indicators in a real-life situation, and to understand the relationship between these indicators in the Albanian context. Results and Discussion: Albania lacks a specific measurement system of Environmental Public Health Tracking, as well an established methodology for linking environmental and public health. Potential capacities for measuring environmental and health indicators are limited at the national level, thus, the public health policies do not clearly and fully integrate environmental health indicators for the protection of public health. Vocational training in health and environment is being practiced through various disciplines, but there is a need for specialized environmental medicine health professionals, with adequate competences in the field. Conclusions: The correlation between environment and public health is gaining attention nationally and globally. As in other countries, the need for Environmental Medicine professionals is growing also in Albania. Strong correlations between of environmental pollution indicators (air, water, land pollution) and public health indicators (such as infant and general mortality, morbidity rates, respiratory diseases, etc.) have increased in the last years. Use of instruments (such as EPHT), a fully integrated university curricula and a specific discipline of Environmental Medicine should be made a priority not only nationally, but also globally as environmental problems such as climate change do not recognize national borders. In order to manage the rising cases, states need to be resilient, and build appropriate research based policies and action plans to prevent the occurrence of environmental related public health consequences. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0302-3 Full Text: PDF
<p>The built environment is important not only for its users and owners, but also for the community and society as a hole, and yet, construction is one of the most energy consuming, destructive, and moreover material consuming industries. Deficiencies with adaptability to meet changing needs in terms of sustainability in architecture can eventually cause needless costs, environmental pressure and dissatisfaction. The aim of this study is to explore whether the circular construction and sustainability of built environments is not only a matter of reducing environmental impacts and limiting the use of non-renewable resources, but it can be successfully used to enhance of environmental protection, social equity, and economic development of a facility. Furthermore, the study tries to understand whether we can use circularity principles not only for the building to be more sustainable and in line with circular economy principles, but also be used to enhance user performance, in this specific case the performance of student and academic staff. The study was applied to Polis University and its premises. Two survey formats were specifically designed to collect data on overall functionality and comfort of Polis University facilities, as well as data on academic staff and student self assessment performance. The study emphasizes the importance of the elements of sustainable built environment, and the care that designers and builders need to achieve what is called optimal comfort and functionality of each element, keeping in mind not only end users but also environmental, social and economical aspects as a fully accomplished sustainable architecture design.</p>
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